The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-23
THE CHURCH CONVENTIONS
The Cumberland Presbyterians Con-
slider the Educational Question,
And Also Discuss Mission and Publication In
terests-United Brethren Foreign Mis-
sions-The State w. C. T.. U. Meeting.
srecia, to the Indianapolis Journa,.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CovINGToN. o., May 2L-The evening session
of the General Assembly, yesterday. pre-
sided over by Rev. j. r. Brown, ID, of ST..
Louis. the editor of the St Louis Observer. AS
previously announced, the evening was devoted
to missionary exercises. Rev. A. ID. Hail. who,
after eight years service missionary in Japan,
is now in the United States in search of health
and rest, FIRST addressed the Assembly. He gave
detailed account Of the history and methods of
the Japan m:ssion which embraces seven
organized churches, besides many outposts
Rev. A. II. Whatley. missionary to Mexico was
next introduced. Rev. Whatley has been recon
noitering IN Mexico for short time only and
has yet little progress to report. He gave dark
picture of the religious condition of the Next
cans. and presented most forcibe appeal in
behalf of the work among them. After adjourn
ment. the pastor of Covngton church. Rev. j. L.
Goodnight, announced the programme for Sab
bath services in the churches here, tomorrow
This morning Rev. Ira W. King. of Tonnes
see, conducted the devotional exercises. The
clerk read the report of the board of education.
The report says that more contributions have
been received this year than ever before. The
collections of all kinds made by Rev. j. S.
Order, agent of Cumberland University. amount
to $3s. 900. At o'clock DR.. c. FL. Bell con-
tlnueQ the reaOlDg OF the report OIL tuo OOAr0 VI
missions, in which he was interrupted yester-
day. The total amount contributed by the
whole church for missions last year was $45, O0O
The present Indebtedness of the board is less
than 81 200. The increase Of 128 ministers and
122 congregations cooperating in the work is re-
ported. The reading Of the report WAS followed
by snort discussion OF its contents. Resou-
tions and propositions concerning the policy OF
the church in regard to mission congre-
cations were presented by different mem
beers, and these were referred, together
missions. One Of these propositions was that
when a mission church reaches membership
of 250 it shall be made self-supporting An
other designed to secure more general contrbu-
tions from the ministers and churches caused
considerable discussion, but it was finally re-
ferred.
The report Of the board of ministerial relief
was next read. Seven hundred and forty-seven
congregations have contributed to the boards
funds. It's entire receipts for the year are
So, 500. The board has forty three benefciaries
So. 500. ~
The report of the committee overtures
the memorial asking for the erection Of a new
synod in Kansas recommended that the request
be not granted at present. the will of the ma
iority of the kansans was unknown. The re-
port was adopted.
The report of the committee on finance
considered by sections. Pending discussion, the
hour for recess arrived.
The elders of the Assembly met in the church
at 130 p. M. in response to a call announced in
the morning Hon. Joseph russell. of Tonnes
see, called to the chair committee of
three was appointed to arrange time for an ell
ders' convention to be held next week
According to previous vote the special order
for 2 o'clock p. was the reception OF Mrs. e.
W. Van Horn. of Brownsville. Pa, who bore
greetings from the Womens Missionary Board
of the 9. p Church. She was conducted TO the
\ platform by Rev. j. S. Howard, chairman OF the
committee correspondence, the Assembly ris-
ing to greet her. She presented her message in
neat, graceful and womanly speech; express
rr~ tha al f0al tn0 n
Immediately after Rev. H. A. Gibson, as CORE
spending delegate for the c. p. Church, colored.
speech. which showed the warm feeling among
the colored people for the white G. P. Church,
was frequently and loudly applauded He gives
the present membership of his church about
fifteen thousand. Moderator Judge Green, in
responding, said: 1--WE of the South owe debt
to our brothers in black which we have never
representative Southerner. and his words are
worthy of note.
The clerk read communication from the
church at Union City, Tenn, asking for the
meeting of the General Assembly in 1888. The
invitation was placed on the docket
The report Of the board of publication was
Tenn, agent of the board. The church official
organ, the Cumberland Presbyterian, has now
13. 700 subscribers The other periodicals have,
without exception, increased liz circulation during
the year The profits from all
SO, 0O0 The reading was followed by questions
addressed to the agent concerning the work OF
the propriety of reducing the price of the official
paper, which now sells for 81. took place. The
sense of the Assembly seemed to be against
such movement, except temporarily. for ad-
vertisug purposes, and even this was opposed
by some members
Rev. S. L. Russell introduced resolution
demning the practice of applaudng by stamping
the feet and clappnR the hands, but the resolu-
ton was laid upon the table. It is likely. how
ever, that the practice will be discontinued in
consequence of the opposition to it.
The Assembly then adjourned to meet Monday
morning at s o'clock.
Rev. 4. d. Hail, missionary to Japan, is to
preach on Sunday morning and his sermon Is
to be followed by the conservation of Rev: F. p.
Lawyer. lately appoint ed missionary TO Mexico
The Assembly communion service will occur At
3 p. NJ Rev. T. A. Cowan, or California. and
evangelist Dixon c. Williams to hold
service in the evening in the interest of the
church on the Pacific SLOPE
To night a few members of the class of $50 at
Cumberland University held meeting in the
Christian Church in the interest OF the educa-
ton Of young men, Rev. Charles Wellborn was
prominent in the meeting. No evening session
OF the Assembly was held.
NOTES.
Rev. J. W. Mckay. OF Carmichaels, Pa. is
one Of the most promising young men in the
church, and is an interesting speaker
Rev. DIR. c. Fl. Bell, the venerable president
of the board of missions. is one of tho bulwarks
of the church. His wise, conservative manage
menI of the church's mission affairs gives gen.
eral satisfaction.
member of the Assembly and is visiting his
mother and other relatives who have their home
here, this being Rev. Blacks native place. Rev.
w. H. Black is of the strongest men in the,
denomination.
Rev. r. NJ. Tinnon. of Fort Worth. Tex.
but formerly of East Nashville is considered
one of the most intelligent and successful min
listers in tho church His brief remarks on the
publication question. Saturday, were of more
value than other more elaborate talks.
Rev james Ritchey. of Martinsville. Ind. is
the oldest minister in the Assem- bly,. He at
tended his first assembly at Nash vile, Tenn. in
1884. riding tho entire distance on horseback.
Though very old. Father Ritchey is engaged in
active work in the business Of the body.
It would be difficult 30 give too much praise to
Rev. J. l.. Goodnight and his assistants for the
almost perfect arrangements which have been
made for the entertainment of the Assembly.
Various circumstances, such as the smallness of
the town (about 10000. made their work difficult